C.C. Lopez Out 6-8 Weeks With Cracked Ribs

(from Aqueduct report)Jockey C.C. Lopez, who was thrown to the track after his mount, Happy Face, broke her left fore ankle in Friday's third race at Aqueduct, suffered a broken left thumb and cracked ribs, according to his agent, James Riccio Jr.

Riccio said Lopez, 45, would be out six to eight weeks. Happy Face was euthanized.

Pablo Morales, who was unseated from Pavlina after the filly fell over Happy Face, was released last night from Jamaica Hospital. Morales took off his three Aqueduct mounts Saturday, but agent Richard DePass said he would return to action Sunday. Pavlina appeared uninjured in the fall.

"He's definitely riding tomorrow," said DePass of the 17-year-old apprentice rider. "He's a little sore. He'll be back fine. We'll start over tomorrow."

Channing Hill, third and final rider thrown in the spill, is riding Saturday at Aqueduct. Hill, who has won 12 races here this meet, was named on five horses.

"I got out of the hospital around seven," Hill said. "I remember being in the paddock, going to the gate and sitting behind the speed and looking for a place to get out. Then (Happy Face) fell."

Hill, who was unconscious after the spill, says he woke up briefly in the ambulance on the way to Jamaica Hospital.